Nonprofit will put cash into Stockton's fight against crime

STOCKTON - The idea came about sometime last year in a conversation between Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones and Tony Stevens, a car dealer and reserve officer.

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By Scott Smith

recordnet.com

By Scott Smith

Posted Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Scott Smith

Posted Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

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Anybody interested in donating to the Stockton Police Foundation can call the office of Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones at (209) 937-8218.

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Donations

Anybody interested in donating to the Stockton Police Foundation can call the office of Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones at (209) 937-8218.

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STOCKTON - The idea came about sometime last year in a conversation between Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones and Tony Stevens, a car dealer and reserve officer.

Stevens noticed the time drain on patrol officers driving suspects they've arrested to the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp for booking, when the officers need to be back on the street responding to new calls.

Jones was conflicted when people asked how to pitch in to the financially strapped force. He couldn't just take their money.

Six months later, Stevens is chairman of the Stockton Police Foundation, a newly formed nonprofit organization that will raise money to help in the city's fight against crime.

"If anyone needs one, it's us," said Stevens, who added that even before its public unveiling, they have verbal commitments of $200,000. "We've gotten so much support, it's not even funny."

Jones is expected to present the foundation to the City Council on Tuesday .

The group has already incorporated and last week opened a bank account. CPA Larry Solari, another founder, is working on getting the foundation tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The others working behind the scenes are Don Mann of Don Mann Yacht Sales, Matt Arnaiz of H.D. Arnaiz Corporation and attorney John Cammack. Jones also will serve on the board as a nonvoting member.

Stockton joins the likes of other California cities, such as Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Jose, that have their own police foundations. A first use of the money will be to hire part-time officers.

Those officers will transport prisoners, freeing up beat cops' time so they can be on the streets. The foundation also will help buy the department crime-fighting computer software. Police foundations in other communities buy equipment and police canines.

"I'm excited by the response from the community and that they want to be part of this," said Sgt. Kathryn Nance, president of the Stockton Police Officers' Association. She called it "cutting edge."

Stockton residents have obviously grown tired of living with crime the way it has been, she said. This is also a direct response to the city's financial woes and bankruptcy, which has robbed the city of an adequate police force, she said.

It's forced the city and its residents to become creative, Nance said.

"It's something we need to try and give it a shot," she said.

As a board member, Chief Jones will make recommendations for what projects and purchases the foundation will support on behalf of the department. The foundation will mostly take donations, rather than hold dinners and golf tournaments.

Mayor Anthony Silva said he was impressed by the initiative coming from the community.

"A lot of these are business folks basically putting their money where their mouth is," he said. "I'm really excited about that."